DAILY DOSE | Shannon K. Butcher - Love You to Death

Please join me in welcoming author Shannon K. Butcher to the Daily Dose to celebrate her newest release: Love You to Death. The novel takes Butcher fans to a new place as she explores romantic suspense. So kick back, grab your coffee and enjoy our little question and answer session.

Tell us a little about Love You To Death? Is this a paranormal romance or a nitty, gritty crime drama/romance?

LYTD is a romantic suspense, and possibly the creepiest stuff I’ve ever written. It’s about a woman whose sister has gone missing. No one believes Ashley’s disappearance is anything sinister, but Elise knows differently. With the help of hunky, ex-cop neighbor Trent, Elise will stop at nothing to discover what happened to her sister, despite the number of mutilated bodies that are piling up.

What is about the romance genre that appeals to you?

It’s the relationships between people that intrigues me most. There’s nothing more exciting to me than watching two people fall in love—whether they dive in head first or fight it every step of the way, it’s always fun to witness. Throwing in the complications of monsters, terrorists or serial killers just makes it that much more interesting.


Can you describe your writing process? Do you have a writing schedule that you maintain?


I have two modes: rough draft mode and everything else. When I’m in rough draft mode, I spend several hours a day writing—usually 2500-5000 words per day. The house gets messy, the laundry piles up and my guys are on their own for meals (which I think they secretly like). I do that for 4-6 weeks, then the book is done. After that comes everything else: revision, edits, interviews, conventions, promo, etc. When I’m doing those things, I tend to work shorter hours and catch up on all the things that went awry during rough draft mode. As my career goes forward, it seems like the line between those two modes is becoming blurry, as things like copy edits and page proofs are due and can’t wait until I’m done with a rough draft. I’m adjusting as I go along.


What was the toughest part of the publishing routine? Submitting? Editing?


Revision is the worst. As an engineer it was important that I did things right the first time, as mistakes could potentially end up hurting someone. So, the fact that the rough draft isn’t perfect feels like a failure to me every time. I KNOW that’s not the way the writing process works, but it’s still hard for me to make that mental adjustment. Plus, I just don’t like revision. I’d rather be moving on to the next story.

Each book is a learning experience, what will you take from this book forward?

This book really changed the way I see the world. I did quite a bit of research into the criminal mind and what hit me the hardest was that people who do the kinds of horrible things my villain did in this book aren’t necessarily crazy. They simply like hurting people. And they appear completely normal to people around them. So now I look at people with a lot more suspicion and mistrust. In fact, it was this book that compelled me to buy a gun and learn how to use it.

What type of books do you yourself like to read?

I mostly read paranormal romance and romantic suspense, though I do branch out to other flavors of romance and an occasional non-romance book.

You're married to Jim Butcher who is wildly popular via his Harry Dresden and Codex Alera books as well as other projects. Do you ever feel like you are competing with him?

Not at all. We’ve been married longer than we were single, so at this point we share everything. His victories are mine and vice-versa. We share ideas, help each other and try to make things as easy on the other as possible. And I’m not a competitive person at all—I’m far too stubborn for that. I’m going to do what I’m going to do, and what other people do isn’t likely to influence my decisions or actions.

Now, that being said, it’s clear that other people pit us against each other. I’ve had plenty of reviews that compared my work to Jim’s, which never fails to make me giggle. We write such different things in such different ways, I think it’s funny that people try to compare us simply because we’re married.

Writing can be such a complex and intensely personal pursuit, is it a struggle to balance family and married life against competing deadlines in a two novelist family?

I don’t think it’s any harder to do what Jim and I do than it is for any other working couple to balance their lives. In fact, because we set our own schedules, it’s easier to work in school stuff and other family obligations now than it was when I was doing the day job. Sure, things get a bit tense from time to time, but for the most part, it’s not a problem to get everything done. Of course, our son is nearly grown now, so it helps a lot that he’s self-sufficient.

What is the next big goal you have set for yourself?

I just got two more 3-book deals in June, so I set a goal to finish all 6 books and a novella I need to write in about 16 months. So far I’ve finished one book and am on schedule.

Want to know more about Shannon? Head over to her website where she hosts some great contests and keeps you in the loop. I for one am looking forward to reading Love You to Death and her future book deals. For Sentinals fans, next novel, the Finding the Lost, in that trilogy will be released in November.

Read more of the Daily Dose blog by Heather Long...

Fresh Pick | SOUTHERN PERIL by T. Lynn Ocean

Jersey Barnes
July 2009
On Sale: July 7, 2009
272 pages
ISBN: 0312383479
EAN: 9780312383473
Hardcover
$24.99

Mystery Woman Sleuth
Buy at Amazon.com

Southern Peril by T. Lynn Ocean

Savvy security specialist Jersey Barnes assures everyone that she has retired for good this time—she had a party with a three-layer cake and champagne toasts to prove it. But when a judge calls in a favor, the former field- trained government agent agrees to figure out what secrets might be putting the judge's brother, Morgan, in danger. His car searched, his apartment burglarized, and it appears as though somebody is watching his every move.

Not one to overreact, Morgan dismisses the judge's attempt to help him as an over-protective big sister's paranoia. He just wants to succeed in his new business venture, Argos. Wilmington's most hip restaurant, Argos guest list is legendary. When Morgan's father died, the eatery was left solely to Morgan. Despite his lack of experience in the food industry, the introverted bachelor is determined to keep his father's legacy alive.

It's only when Morgan has a close call with death that he confides in Jersey: his father may have been murdered, and Morgan thinks he knows why. But he can't divulge further details without opening the door to his own humiliating secret, and risk losing Argos.

While trying to keep her zany father and his poker buddies out of trouble, and exploring unfamiliar territory with her steamy business partner-turned-lover, Jersey stays on the case in her historic hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina.
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Candy's Inside Books | Don't Miss The Magic...

Candy's Inside Books
A look at books, authors and movie events

There are so many of my friends and favorite authors with books out this month that I’m going to get straight to it!

I liked Nikki Duncan’s SOUNDS TO DIE BY, so much that I gave her a cover quote. Rookie FBI Agent Kieralyn Beckett doesn’t want her team to know that the last victim in the kidnapping case they are working was her college roommate. She wants to stay on so that she can find her friend. The only man she can turn to is NSA "listener" Ian Cabrera.  He doesn’t have time to help her until he hears something in the recording she brought him. It just so happens that he hears something that might be a tied to a case he’s working on. Nikki says, "My book comes with a warning: This title contains a blind hero who knows his way around a woman’s body, steamy kitchen sex, verbal sparring, kidnapping evasions, fiery near-death experiences and heart-pounding sensory overload."


When my friend Wendy Lyn Watson was researching her new book I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM, she kept making her friends fat. "I included recipes in the book, so I’ve made a lot of ice cream over the past year," Watson says. "At first, when my friends caught on, we had a spike in dinner invites, but then they got tired of tasting my experiments (and of not being able to fit in their jeans). So now I have to find a new group of unsuspecting guinea pigs. If I show up on your doorstep with a plastic tubby and a couple of spoons, you might want to turn out the lights and pretend to be out."

Don’t tell her, but I have a crush on Sunny who’s LUCINDA, DANGEROUSLY, is on shelves now! "It's not just Lucinda's story, the nasty-turned-nice demon princess heroine, but of the two ancient demon bodyguards she brings back from Hell -- Ruric and Hari.,"Sunny says. "I first came up with the character of Lucinda because I wanted to write someone more edgier, more...well, mean.  Had a lot of fun softening up Lucinda with all those gorgeous men in need.  Enjoyed myself as well peeling away the hardened exterior crusts from Ruric and Hari and opening up their demon hearts to unexpected love."

I adore Carly Phillips and LUCKY BREAK, is a must read. Jason Corwin knows he should resist his attraction to Lauren Perkins. After all, it was one of her ancestors that came up with the curse that had haunted every Corwin male since. But after one night of mind-blowing sex with his supposed—and very seductive—enemy, he can’t bring himself to stay away. All Lauren wants is to sell her late grandmother’s creepy house and leave the past behind forever. But that's not such an easy thing to do with gorgeous contractor Jason Corwin whispering sweet, sexy somethings in her ear ... about staying in town. Then a saboteur and the promise of hidden treasure changes everything - and one lucky break just might put an end ... to the Corwin curse forever.

Jodi Thomas’ latest is THE LONE TEXAN. "I  couldn’t wait to write Sage and Drummond’s story after watching them grow up through the three other Whispering Mountain books," she says.  "He’s one of my favorite heroes just because he never stopped loving Sage.  He’s always been alone and she’s always been surrounded with family.  At one point in the story Drum realizes he’s going to have to fight all three of her brothers to get close to Sage.  I don’t remember a time that I laughed more while writing a story."

The lovely Shiloh Walker has a cool one out CANDY HOUSES, which features Greta, who is a Grimm – a special kind of guardian angel and official butt-kicker in the paranormal world. Rip’s about the only man who can make her heart race, and now he’s back to help her face the danger ahead. "The story came to me one day while I was watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I had this idea to retell some fairy tales, only with stories that are very different from the ones you'd find in any Grimm book," Walker says. "It turned out to be the first in a new series called "Grimm’s Circle."’

First time author Jessa Slade’s SEDUCED BY SHADOWS, looks like a winner.  "I wrote this story to answer a simple question: Are we good or evil?  I think the answer is, Uh-oh, we're both," Slade says.  "My hero would like to see the world in black and white, but the heroine forces him to see all the colors, and she has to ask him is he strong enough, not just to vanquish the armies of evil, but to fight for love when he can't be certain there's anything outside the shadows.  See?  Like I said, simple."

Marilyn Brant is also a first time author. The Jane Austen fan says, "ACCORDING TO JANE, is the story of a modern woman who has the ghost of Jane Austen in her head giving her dating advice. It follows Ellie Barnett through two decades of relationships as she seeks her very own hero--her "Mr. Darcy"--and, more importantly, a confident sense of self and the ability to listen to her own voice."

Emily Burke has been exiled because everyone she touches dies in Bonnie Vanak’s IMMORTAL WOLF. She doesn’t trust werewolf Raphael Robichaux when he comes into her life, but he knows there’s something big at stake. Not only does he know her blood can restore life, she is destined to be his mate. "Raphael is a leather-wearing, Harley-riding Cajun," says Vanak. "I also have a free download on eHarlequin starting Oct. 19 that is connected to this book. It’s called "SEDUCING THE VAMPIRE."’

There are so many books you don’t want to miss this month. Make sure you also check out Mindy Kasky’s HOW NOT TO MAKE A WISH, Kimberly Lang’s THE MILLIONAIRE’S MISBEHAVING MISTRESS, Deb Stover’s THE GIFT, Rebecca York’s (She’s one of my heroes!) DRAGON MOON, Ann Macela’s WILD MAGIC, Margaret Carroll’s RIP TIDE, Carla Cassidy’s UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL, Shayla Black’s SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, Barbara Cumming’s A KILLING IN RETROSPECT, Kate Lyon’s DESTINY’S CAPTIVE,and Sandra Elzie’s THE DIPLOMATIC TUTOR.

Well, that's it for this month, see you next with more news...Candy

Linda Wisdom | What's Hexier Than A Witch?

First off, many thanks to Fresh Fiction for giving me a chance to talk about my latest book, HEX IN HIGH HEELS.

If you've read my series you know that my witches are sexy, snarky, and have attitude plus. They can take down the bad guys without chipping a nail and the words “charge it!” are in their vocabulary. They have a metabolism we wish we all had and the way they look is cuter than drop dead gorgeous.

They're the ones you'd love to have coffee with at Starbucks, go shopping, or find a great place for lunch.

In many ways they're just like us.

Well, except for the fact, ...oops, click here to read the rest, you won't be sorry!

Fresh Pick | SEW DEADLY by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

Southern Sewing #1August 2009
On Sale: August 4, 2009
Featuring: Tori Sinclair
288 pages
ISBN: 0425229106
EAN: 9780425229101
Paperback
$6.99

Mystery Amateur Sleuth, Mystery Woman Sleuth
Buy at Amazon.com

Sew Deadly
by Elizabeth Lynn Casey

Ever since she moved to Sweet Briar, South Carolina, Yankee librarian Tori Sinclair has been the talk of the tiny town. But she’s been so busy at work, winning over the sewing circle, and trying to forget her cheating ex that she hasn’t even had time to baste together a pillow, let alone mind local gossip. Then she finds the hometown sweetheart dead at her back door…

Everyone believes the police investigator, who’s just fixin’ to link Tori to the murder in a love triangle gone bad. To clear her name, Tori will have to rely on her new sewing sisters and stitch together the truth— or be darned.
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Sheila Roberts | Sheila’s Recipe For A Fun Book

Good deeds, good lovin’ and good recipes--I thought these sounded like a winning combination for a book, so I incorporated them all into my latest novel, Angel Lane. In the book three girlfriends decide they need to do something to keep the heart in Heart Lake, the small, lakeside town where they live. So they come up with their "Have a Heart" campaign--asking neighbors to commit one random act of kindness every day . . . and then learn that no good deed goes unpunished. Sarah Goodwin, suffering from granddaughter withdrawals after her daughter moves, delivers a coffee cake to the new neighbor only to realize she’s just fed a hungry lounge lizard. (Something her husband does not appreciate!) As if she doesn’t have enough troubles with lover boy, she is also finding the cooking classes she started for some of the town’s little girls to be, well, challenging. Emma Swanson is becoming the town soft touch and slowly running her quilt shop into the ground. And Jamie Moore, who owns the town’s new chocolateria, is fighting feelings for a certain cop who’s developed a sweet tooth. (A fight she’s determined to win now that she’s sworn off men.) What I love about this book is that by the end the three friends learn that the only way to get a better life, a better town, a better world, is to give your heart. I truly believe that.

I also believe that nothing says fun like food. (Okay, there are other things, but that’s such a cute little saying, I’m sticking with it.) I mean, who doesn’t like to eat good food? And who doesn’t enjoy finding a fabulous recipe . . . or at least sampling one. That’s why I included recipes in the book, both from Sarah’s bakery and Jamie’s chocolateria. Creating and testing those recipes was definitely fun. And . . . interesting.

Intrigued? Read the rest and get a recipe...

Fresh Pick | VI AGRA FALLS by Mary Daheim

Bed-And-Breakfast #24

August 2009
On Sale: August 1, 2009
Featuring: Judidth McMonigle Flynn
352 pages
ISBN: 0061351555
EAN: 9780061351556
Mass Market Paperback
$7.99

Mystery Amateur Sleuth

Buy at Amazon.com

Vi Agra Falls by Mary Daheim

Innkeeper and amateur sleuth Judith McMonigle Flynn's worst nightmare comes true when Vivian Flynn—husband Joe's first wife—moves back into the neighborhood. Vivian, who has become mysteriously wealthy, plans to build a big, bad condo on their idyllic cul-de-sac. Outraged, Judith and her neighbors vow to fight the project to the death.

Vivian isn't the only newcomer to the area. Frankie Buss, son of another of Vivian's ex-husbands, has arrived at Hillside Manor with his wife. Vivian was married to his father for what seemed like minutes before she inherited his vast wealth—and ran off with his other son. Now Frankie's dying for his share of the pot of gold.

Vivian's got more than one mortal enemy—but which one ended up dead in her back yard? If she wants her home sweet home to stay happy, Judith will have to find out.

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Margaret Carroll | How Not To Marry A Sociopath, Or Things My Characters Taught Me (And Why I Can Relate To Them)

When we were single, my friends and I had endless conversations about what we wanted in a mate. Melissa (these names are all made up) wanted a man who was in touch with his feelings (last I heard she was still living solo in her Upper East Side studio). Mary wanted to meet someone from a Good Family (read: wads and wads of dough). She did, and resides these days in a leafy Connecticut suburb. Peter wanted a woman who was thin, and shared his love of physical fitness (he suffered two fractured ribs once in a Kickboxing class, at the foot of a woman he had a crush on).

I just wanted to marry someone who wouldn’t embarrass me in front of waiters.

Sounds trivial, right? Not really. I kissed a few toads before I met my Prince Charming, and discovered along the way that--more than anything else--I wanted to spend my life with a man who had heart, compassion and good manners. I found all that and more, eventually, but that’s another story.

To read more about what characters have taught Margaret and for a chance to win please click here.

Fresh Pick | POPPY DONE TO DEATH by Charlaine Harris

Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, #8

July 2009
On Sale: July 7, 2009
Featuring: Aurora Teagarden
288 pages
ISBN: 042522807X
EAN: 9780425228074
Mass Market Paperback (reprint)
$7.99

Mystery Amateur Sleuth

Buy at Amazon.com

Poppy Done To Death
by Charlaine Harris

A “DELIGHTFUL” (LIBRARY JOURNAL) Aurora Teagarden mystery

From the New York Times bestselling author of Last Scene Alive and the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

Not just any woman in Lawrenceton, Georgia, gets to be a member of the Uppity Women Book Club. But Roe’s stepsister-in-law Poppy has climbed her way up the waiting list of the group—only to die on the day she’s supposed to be inducted.

Sordid stories of infidelity in Poppy’s marriage lead to a rash of suspects, and Roe begins to question her own heart. But her passion for the truth will drive her on—into the path of the cold-blooded killer.

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Carly Phillips | LUCKY BREAK, It's Not Just Paranormal...

I love to read and write contemporaries. I love to talk to others who read contemporaries and gauge what they have to say about current books and authors. Recently I got to thinking about the books I’ve written.

The Hot Zone - Sports Heroes
The Chandler Brothers- Brothers and their mother who wants grandchildren
The Costas Sisters- polar opposite twin sisters with an Atlantic City con family
Ty and Hunter- 3 best friends, separated by a deep dark secret
The many Temptations I’ve written over the years
THE LUCKY SERIES - 3 sexy male cousin plagued by a family curse.

I don’t want anyone to think the word "curse" means the LUCKY series is a twist on what I write. Let me be clear. The LUCKY Series is NOT a paranormal series. It doesn’t pretend to be. What the Lucky series does, finishing up with LUCKY BREAK in stores tomorrow, is to touch on the notion that a curse can actually be many things from a streak of bad luck to a self fulfilling prophecy-and how an affected family and those who love them suffer in the process. The newest generation of Corwin men want to find love and break the curse&mdash:but they don’t know how. Derek in LUCKY CHARM reunited with the love he let go in order to protect her from the curse and is now praying that she is his lucky charm. Mike in LUCKY STREAK found a woman adept at gambling and one willing to take risks, their love being the biggest risk of all. And up now in LUCKY BREAK is the last Corwin cousin, Jason.

To read more from Carly Phillips and for a link to enter her Lucky Break contest please click here.

Fresh Pick | ELVIS AND THE GRATEFUL DEAD by Peggy Webb

Southern Cousins

October 2009
On Sale: October 1, 2009
304 pages
ISBN: 0758225911
EAN: 9780758225917
Hardcover
$22.00
ystery Amateur Sleuth
Buy at Amazon.com

Elvis And The Grateful Dead by Peggy Webb

Every year, a hip-shaking herd of Elvis impersonators descends upon the King's birthplace of Tupelo, Mississippi, for the annual Elvis festival. Usually the main attractions are lot of sequined jumpsuits and even more off-key singing, but this year something much more deadly has the town all shook up…

When the first Elvis impersonator is found slumped over his piano, a heart attack seems the likely suspect. But when a second keels over mid-swagger at Callie Valentine Jones's party, suspicious minds begin to wonder if something foul is afoot. Because everyone knows two dead Elvis impersonators add up to only one thing: murder.

As it turns out, Callie's cousin Lovie-a 190-pound bombshell who's had more lovers than the King had hit records-turns out to be suspect #1. Callie knows she's innocent but to prove it, she and Lovie will have to find out who the real killer is. Could it be Texas Elvis, who's sworn to out-swivel his rivals? Maybe the female Elvis from Australia, with the fake sideburns? Or one of the endlessly bickering officers of the fan club?

It's a mystery fit for a King, and with a little help from Callie's hunk-a-burnin' love ex Jack, and her talented hound dog Elvis-who's convinced he's the true reincarnation of the King-Callie and Lovie are determined to have the killer singing Jailhouse Rock. But they need to move fast and be ready for the killer's next move, because their chance may be now…or never!

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Allie Pleiter | Balancing The Quirks And The Oddities

How do you give an old story a new twist? Holiday romances are time-honored favorites. Everyone likes to see the guy finally get the girl under the mistletoe. Not that the holidays don’t provide lots of material for those of us who tend to put humor in our stories, but it can be hard to achieve that "smile while you tear up" quality that most readers look for in romantic comedy.

For me, the balance is the difference between "quirky" and "odd." We love quirky characters, mostly because they represent parts of us we don’t want to the world to see. Character traits run amuk are funny, especially if they’re character traits we have ourselves. That’s what makes them recognizable; what makes them quirky.

Now, learn the differences by clicking here. And learn how to WIN a free book!

Fresh Pick | CURING THE BLUES WITH A NEW PAIR OF SHOES by Dixie Cash

August 2009
On Sale: August 1, 2009
Featuring: Edwina Perkins-Martin; Debbie Sue Overstreet
320 pages
ISBN: 0061434388
EAN: 9780061434389
Trade Size
$13.99
Mystery Woman Sleuth, Mystery Amateur Sleuth

Buy at Amazon.com

Curing The Blues With A New Pair Of Shoes
by Dixie Cash

January 8th is a special day in Salt Lick, Texas. It’ s Elvis’ birthday. Hogg’s Drive-In, local hamburger eatery and favorite of Elvis’ in his fledgling career days, is conducting a huge celebration, including an exhibit of Elvis’s blue suede shoes borrowed from a museum in Las Vegas. But right before the big day, the shoes go missing!

Now it’s up to hairstylists/detectives Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins-Martin to save the day. With the help of sassy reporter Avery Deaton and sports writer Sam Carter, the Domestic Equalizers take on the mystery.

Debbie Sue and Edwina are first-class multi- taskers, so it’s no big deal for them to solve a mystery, provide a few hair-dos and do some matchmaking on the side. Before all is said and done, someone will be held at gunpoint, the Jimmy Choos will be broken out and a shocking secret will be revealed involving a local octogenarian.




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Sandi Shilhanek | How Do YOU Balance Kids And Reading?

In many parts of the country school has been back in session for almost six weeks. To me it’s amazing to think that the first six weeks of school is coming to a close. By now everyone should be adjusted to the new schedule and managing to fit everything together and leave time for yourself.

Are you busier now that your child is back in school, or do you have more time to do things like read? One of my friends said that September was not a good month for her to be reading as she was trying to get everyone on a school schedule.

I decided to check my own reading for September, and found it was my most successful month to date! I read 14 books in the month. That is a record for me for this year. Yes, I read some short books, but I did read some great stuff!

Now, read the rest of Sandi's blog...

Fresh Pick | MAMA RIDES SHOTGUN by Deborah Sharp

Mace Bauer #2

July 2009
On Sale: July 1, 2009
336 pages
ISBN: 0738713309
EAN: 9780738713304
Paperback
$14.95

Mystery Amateur Sleuth

Buy at Amazon.com

Mama Rides Shotgun
by Deborah Sharp

Mama's fixin' to marry husband number five. But beforeshe does, she convinces daughter Mace to saddle up for somecountry-gal bonding on the Florida Cracker Trail. Thesix-day ride is going fine until wealthy rancher LawtonBramble keels over in his Cow Hunter Chili.

Aone-time beau of Mama's, Lawton Bramble had a bad ticker andtons of enemies. Mace has her doubts about natural causes,along with a long list of suspects who might have "spiced"the cattleman's chili. Mace's worried sisters Maddie andMarty join the ride, as does her sexy ex-beau, DetectiveCarlos Martinez. With—or despite—their help, Mace isdetermined to corral this killer.

. . . looks like the gang's all here and up to their knees in murder and mayhem.

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